zkEVM Analysis: Comparison of Mainstream Solutions

The development of blockchain technology is entering a new stage, and zkEVM, as an important solution for Ethereum scalability, is gradually leading Ethereum towards broader applications. Faced with various zkEVM solutions on the market, how to choose the most suitable one has become the focus of many developers and users. This article will provide a comprehensive comparison of several major zkEVM solutions, offering readers a detailed guide.

zkEVM Overview

zkEVM is a second-layer network solution whose core function is to process transactions and send proofs back to the Ethereum mainnet. By combining zero-knowledge proof (ZK) technology with Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility, zkEVM can significantly alleviate the computational burden on the Ethereum mainnet, enhance network scalability, while ensuring that security and decentralization are not compromised.

However, zkEVM solutions in the market are not completely the same. According to the classification framework proposed by Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin, zkEVM can be categorized into different types, ranging from fully equivalent to Ethereum (Type 1) to only maintaining EVM compatibility (Type 4). This classification mainly reflects the trade-off between EVM compatibility and performance.

Comparison of Mainstream zkEVM Solutions

Polygon zkEVM and Polygon 2.0

The Polygon ecosystem currently includes two main public networks: Polygon zkEVM and Polygon PoS (which is set to upgrade to Polygon 2.0).

Polygon zkEVM is a Type 3 ZK-Rollup that aims for high equivalence with EVM. It launched its mainnet in March 2023, and the current total locked value ( TVL ) is approximately $54 million. This solution is suitable for applications handling high-value transactions, such as decentralized finance ( DeFi ) projects.

Polygon 2.0 is an upgrade proposal for the existing Polygon PoS, aiming to transform it into zkEVM validium. This upgrade will retain the existing strong ecosystem of Polygon PoS, including approximately 2B+ in TVL, tens of thousands of decentralized applications ( dApp ), and about 2.5 million transactions daily. As validium, Polygon 2.0 will offer lower fees and higher throughput than rollup, making it particularly suitable for high-transaction-volume and fee-sensitive application scenarios, such as Web3 games and social platforms.

zkSync Era

zkSync Era currently belongs to type 4 zkEVM, developed by Matter Labs. It went live on the mainnet in March 2023, with a current TVL of approximately $450 million and a trading volume of 27 million transactions in the past month.

The goal of zkSync Era is not to pursue complete equivalence with EVM, but to improve proof generation speed through the custom virtual machine (VM). It natively supports Ethereum cryptographic primitives, simplifies the use of development tools, and enhances user experience through native account abstraction.

zkSync Era uses the LLVM compiler, which can convert Solidity, Vyper, and Yul code into executable code on the zkSync VM, with plans to support Rust and C++ in the future. Additionally, it features a powerful L1-L2 contract messaging system that facilitates developers in transferring data between contracts on Ethereum and zkSync.

Linea

Linea is a Type 3 zkEVM developed by ConsenSys, with its Alpha mainnet launched in July 2023, currently accumulating a TVL of 50 million USD. What makes Linea unique is its ability to execute unmodified Ethereum native bytecode directly, and it is expected to evolve into a Type 2 zkEVM, achieving near-complete compatibility with Ethereum in the future.

Linea directly uses the bytecode compiled from Solidity to generate ZK proofs for smart contracts, without the need for transpilators or custom compilers, reducing the risk of errors and security vulnerabilities. For users, this means achieving security similar to Ethereum while enjoying lower transaction costs.

Scroll zkEVM

Scroll is a zk-Rollup deployed on Ethereum, currently in the type 3 zkEVM stage, but plans to gradually evolve into type 2, with the ultimate goal of becoming type 1 zkEVM. Scroll's strategy prioritizes EVM compatibility and decentralization over the rapid generation of ZKPs.

The alpha testnet of Scroll has been opened to the public, showcasing its efforts in achieving full EVM compatibility.

Taiko

Taiko is similar to Scroll, both aiming to be a generalized zk-Rollup of type 1 native zkEVM. However, Taiko takes a different approach: prioritizing decentralization over speed from the very beginning.

Although the generation speed of ZKP may be slow, Taiko has been committed to decentralizing its core components and maximizing EVM compatibility since the early stages of the project. Taiko's Type 1 testnet is now open for use.

Summary

Each zkEVM solution has its unique advantages and challenges, but they all contribute significantly to building a more accessible and scalable Web3 ecosystem. As these technologies continue to evolve and improve, we have reason to expect that blockchain technology, particularly the Ethereum ecosystem, will see broader applications and more efficient performance.